A Passion for Law: Pursuing Justice, Pursued by Love
What inspired you to choose law as your field of study?
Recent and previous controversies – defamation, dispute, discrimination, and international law – indicate deficiencies in establishing, interpreting, and implementing laws led me to discover the law as dynamic and with obscurities. I believe that law is the study and dictate of reason, the cornerstone on which great civilisations are built upon; Yet very much misunderstood, introducing and inspiring further exploration, therefore the natural affinity towards such matters led Law to become my natural choice of study.
Media outcry referring to law as ‘not fit for purpose’ or more curtly as Charles Dickens writes ‘the law is an ass’ led myself to dig for answers. By reading ‘Fake Law’ by the Secret Barrister I understand how the UK’s law has been misrepresented over decades by the media wishing to cement their power base and cover any shortcomings. Uncovering that when the law is described as inadequate, it is often referring to law having perfidious intentions. Keeping in mind Orwell’s assertion that language can corrupt thinking, and since law is the language used to regulate interactions between individuals and society as a whole, I decided that taking law at degree level would allow me to fully contextualise, evaluate and think laterally around a problem, therefore developing my critical thinking skills.
Reaching out, taking on virtual legal work experience that was available online, I uncovered the significance of employment law issues, engaging myself to reflect and consider termination, discrimination and employment contract policies in compliance with the law. Demonstrating how the law affects everyone’s lives – whether they practice law or not. As a result, the omnipresent nature that shrouds the law created a personal wish to uncover the legal veil. Further research ensued through the available resources: articles, online video tutorials, FAQ’s and university resources. In particular real-world examples provided the most beneficial learning experiences.
Personally, my mixed-race heritage led me to analyse the relationships between national politics and the support for international law. My mother’s country of origin, Japan, maintains a criminal justice system that is largely criticised by international human rights bodies for its reliance on false confessions when persecuting suspects, and for the retention of the death penalty. The 2023 UK-Japan defence agreement protects visiting on duty British troop defendants by subjecting the troops to the legal system of their home country – the United Kingdom; Highlighting compromise and the flexible nature of law. In addition to confirming incredible opportunities available at degree level study of Law, online lectures and learning resources have deepened my understanding of international law. I have learned from the online lectures, such as ‘Violence in and of International Law’ that the ethos of international law is universalism with commitment toward human life, importantly how threats of violence are hard to calculate prompting unease whether states are obliged to act in self-defence. Then, the danger is whether international law is inflicting harm on itself while in actuality aiming to constrain violence, as military necessity can be so self-regarding as to leave human rights out of picture; As damage to civilian can be excessive in relation to the military advantage anticipated from attacks.
Expectations pursuing a career in Law
Not only is a degree in Law time consuming and arduous, pursuing a career within the Legal field is renowned for long hours, hard-work, stress, and discipline. Largely unattractive features for any persons, however it is to my belief that my personality type is best suited towards this type of work and relish the challenging working environment. Moving forward to pursue a legal career I expect to hone personal skills, for patience and persistence, and to carry a consistent attitude toward facing challenges, but as I understand the rewards are there.
Legal Careers provide typically provide higher than average incomes, and therefore a relatively lucrative field of work. One can expect a relatively high workload and stress but expect to be rewarded for their commitments through earning a higher income. Moreover, the satisfaction of helping the client resolve messy and uncomfortable disputes, I imagine contributes to high job satisfaction by making real change, leaving behind a positive outcome.
So far, interning within Le&Tran , I have had the privilege to gain a deeper understanding of how the legal system operates specifically within Vietnam. Currently, interning in dispute resolution and litigation, rather than understand the law through a textbook, or reading written guides, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand how litigation proceeds, through shadowing client meetings, writing meeting reports, reading lettered emails to clients have all broadened my scope for the both the Law, and the legal system in Vietnam. In particular, I find the one-to-one client meetings fascinating where the litigator guides the client through specific plan of action in order to meet their desired resolution. Like a Doctor heals physical injury, the litigation team aids the client through their matter. In one of my first meetings, dealing with a case of white-collar crime – misappropriated assets – one can find it a relishing task to assist the client through their stressful issue. Undoubtedly, such a responsible position requires extensive legal knowledge which can only be attained through specific case study. Hence, I expect a legal career to require a person have understanding of the law but more importantly the ability to transcribe and translate specific legislation to meet specific situations.
Favorite Subjects and Real-Life Applications
• Which subjects within your major do you enjoy the most?
During my formative years of study, my education included a variety of subjects. Most importantly the essay-based subjects, as I found personal satisfaction through finding the ability to transform thoughts and ideas into concrete writing. My additional subject choice was completing an EPQ, an extended essay project tasks which served as an introduction to essay-based writing.
As expected, work within legal practices is tightly tied to writing. Writing is a necessary evil to some and a welcome respite to others, whether writing is loved or hated it is most definitely crucial in legal practice. As without it, cases that could have been won are lost. During my short time interning, I’ve noticed heavy emphasise to write with short, concise and plain language. As a result, clear and simple language improves to readers ability to navigate the case with confidence, reducing the risk for ambiguity.
• How have you applied, or plan to apply, what you’ve learned to real-life situations?
Reflecting on the skills I have gained through essay writing; I envision several practical applications in my future endeavours. The abilities, which I continue to improve on, extend far beyond academic settings and are poised to significantly enhance my effectiveness in various professional contexts, particularly in the realm of legal practice.
Firstly, as previously mentioned, the precision and clarity instilled by continuous essay writing will be invaluable when drafting legal documents. Whether I may be crafting contracts, briefs, or opinions, the ability to articulate complex legal arguments concisely and persuasively is paramount. Through formative years of study and self-education I’ve honed my capacity to organize thoughts logically, and move closer toward conveying ideas with clarity – a skill set directly applicable to formulating compelling legal arguments that resonate with judges, clients, and peers alike.
Additionally, the rigorous research methodologies I’ve developed and will develop during my undergraduate study will empower me to navigate the vast expanse of legal literature effectively, ensuring that I can leverage authoritative sources to substantiate claims and anticipate potential challenges in litigation or advisory contexts.
Furthermore, the critical thinking fostered by A-Level exams will serve as a cornerstone of my approach to legal analysis and problem-solving. Evaluating arguments, scrutinizing evidence, and anticipating counterarguments were central to my academic writing process. I hope these skills will enable me to dissect complex legal issues, identify key issues, and develop innovative solutions that align with both legal principles and client objectives. Especially considering the dynamic landscape of law, where precedents evolve and interpretations vary.
In essence, the skills I’ve cultivated through my formative years and self-education were not merely academic but are poised to transform my approach to legal practice. From drafting legal documents to conducting rigorous research, these skills will empower me to ultimately make a positive output. Embracing the lessons I have learned, I am committed to leveraging those skills to navigate the intricacies of the legal profession with proficiency, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to achieving optimal outcomes.
Copyright Ⓒ Juvenis Maxime 2024
